Extra Tower Hamlets primary school places to cope with demand

Primary schools are expanding to cope with increasing demand and tackle chronic shortages in places for youngsters, Tower Hamlets Council has said.

Town hall bosses insist there is enough space to cope with demand for the next academic year after 2,000 extra places were created in the past six years.

But expansion work is ongoing in a bid to ease the burden on the borough’s crowded schools.

Bethnal Green’s Bonner Primary School, in Stainsbury Street, has been expanded to create 60 new places this year, and Limehouse’s Cayley Primary School, in Aston Street, has also taken an extra 30 children.

A further 60 more places will be made available from next September when the planned expansion of Woolmore School in Poplar is completed.

Tower Hamlets Mayor Lutfur Rahman insisted the council would continue to work hard to ensure children have access to their local primary schools.

Further expansions are currently being planned for Stebon and Olga Primary Schools in Bow.

The council said it currently has enough spaces for the September 2014 intake. Applications for places open on October 1 and run until January 15.